Updated September 19, 2018

Choose your own adventure with 2 weeks of popular spots, day trips, and off-the-beaten-path excursions. Hit the highlights, dig deep into the culture, and put your own spin on the Japanese trip of a lifetime! Any questions? Just ask!

The Essential Destinations

Tokyo: 3 days in Japan’s concrete jungle

One does not simply visit Japan and not explore Tokyo. Made up of 23 wards, Tokyo offers a totally immersive Japanese experience for visitors looking to level up past typical tourists.

Let’s start with the essentials, shall we? Get your toes wet in the metaphorical Japanese water!

Tokyo Tower

• Arguably the most iconic spot in southern Tokyo, the 1,000-foot Tokyo Tower crowns the skyline, lighting up orange in the winter and cool blue in the summer.
• Heads Up: Send a postcard from the Tower’s Skydeck postbox, where you might meet the Tower’s two mascot brothers 

Hibiya Park

• Nestled in a small business district, artfully-landscaped Hibiya Park reminds you that Tokyo isn’t all about concrete and billboards.
• Entrance to the park is totally free, so you can wander among flower gardens, lush forests, and elegant bridges to your heart’s content.

Imperial Palace

• Just a short walk from Tokyo Station and Hibiya Park, the Imperial Palace is fairly young in Japan time (a little over 100 years old) and houses the Imperial Family–Tokyo is Japan’s capital, after all!
• Visiting the Imperial Palace is like taking a time machine back to ancient Japan–the entire palace, complete with moats, bridges, and towers definitely look like lodging for royalty.
• Heads Up: Visitors can only enter the inner courtyards on December 23rd (Emperor’s birthday) and January 2nd (Royal New Year’s greeting).

Harajuku and Shinjuku

• Forget what you know about shopping–Tokyo’s Harajuku and Shinjuku districts are Japan’s must-see spots that take consumer culture and worldwide trends to a whole new level.
• Only a subway stop away from each other, these districts are packed with only the newest fads, all showcased on brilliant, stories-high billboards. Think Times Square on steroids.
• Very basically, Harajuku is about fashion; Shinjuku is about entertainment. Both have the cutest little cafes and the biggest nightclubs in Tokyo–which one will be your favorite?

Kyoto: 2 days in the world’s geisha capital

Although Kyoto is only about 3 hours southwest of Tokyo, Kyoto’s vibe is substantially more relaxed than Tokyo’s 24/7 hustle. With over 1,600 temples and gardens, Kyoto is the perfect city to see urban life right at home with nature. Here are the can’t-miss spots in Kyoto, Tokyo’s classy sister-city:

Gion district

• If you see nothing else in Kyoto (which would be crazy), the Gion district should be your priority #1. Overlooking the Kamo river, the district’s lantern-lit pathways and teahouses are Japan’s geisha capital.
• The Gion district is at its most stunning around sunset when geisha apprentices (maiko) dress in their full, intricate ensembles for their nightly rounds to local teahouses.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

• One of Kyoto’s hidden gems, the Iwatayama Monkey Park is home to over 100 Japanese snow monkeys, including several fluffy little babies.
• The park sits atop a mountain–bring a water bottle and a handkerchief because you’re gonna break a sweat here. The 30-minute, slightly intense hike is so worth it when you get to hand-feed monkeys.
• Heads Up: For the love of monkeys, don’t miss the feeding times–you’ll get to see the teeny tiny newborn monkeys up close! Prioritize Japan’s fluffy critters in your personalized itinerary.

Kinkaku-ji (“The Golden Pavilion”)

• A shoo-in for your Kyoto itinerary, Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto’s (and Japan’s) most iconic spots.
• The Golden Pavilion overlooks a reflection pool, hemmed in by ancient pine trees and zen gardens. The entire top 2 floors are covered in–you guessed it–gold leaf.

Nishiki Market

• Nishiki Market is a six-block slice of culinary heaven–the perfect taste of Japanese culture, with food to get you out of your comfort zone. (Think crawly, wriggly, and scrumptious.)
• Each market stall offers totally fresh produce, meats, and seafood, most of which are locally produced. Sample your way through this ultimate farmer’s market.

Osaka: 2 days in “Japan’s Kitchen”

Japan’s third largest city, glittering Osaka is where Michelin-starred restaurants stand next to family-owned food shacks and street vendors, each with their own twist on Osaka’s culinary creations. Osaka isn’t only about food–the city is also home to iconic sights that only increase your wanderlust. Here’s what you absolutely must do in Osaka:

The Dotonbori

• Bring on the romance (and good eats) as you take a boat ride through Osaka’s Dotonbori district, which glitters under massive billboards and giant (but fake) octopuses and crabs.
• The Dotonbori Canal is 200 years older than the USA, with restaurants that have been around since the canal opened in 1615. These family-owned food stalls have been setting Japan’s food trends before the Mayflower set sail.

Ghar Curry

• It’s hard to single out just one Osakan restaurant, but Ghar Curry is a can’t-miss stop in Osaka. Ghar Curry puts a spicy Japanese twist on this traditionally Indian cuisine. (Just thinking about it makes our own stomachs grumble.)

Osaka Castle

• Decked out in gold leaf and white-green gables, the five-story splendor of Osaka Castle makes it a must-see on your Japanese itinerary.
• Visitors can opt for a guided tour inside the castle, and if it’s a sunny day, we highly recommend having a picnic on the castle grounds (wandering the parks are totally free).

Cup Noodles Museum

• Japan is home to some off-the-wall creative museums, and the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka is no exception! Essentially a shrine to instant ramen, the Cup Noodles Museum is perfect for a rainy day.

  Not only can you make your own Cup Noodles ramen pack, but you can also wander the Instant Noodles Tunnel and make chicken ramen by hand. What more could you wish for on your Japanese adventure?

Ideal day trips

One of the coolest parts about visiting Japan is the incredible public transport–especially the Shinkansen (bullet train) that goes up to 200 mph. The Shinkansen can get you pretty much anywhere in a reasonable amount of time, so Japan’s best adventures are at your fingertips!

By making Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka your home base, these are the day trips that will make your personalized trip truly unforgettable:

• Mount Osorezan’s “Mouth of Hell”
• Nara’s tame deer
• Iwayama’s underwater caves
• Toyama’s firefly squid

Off-the-beaten-path expeditions

Kagoshima

• A seaside city with unbeatable mountain views, Kagoshima is perfectly situated right next to the Nagisa Lava Trail and its active volcano Sakurajima.

• Kagoshima is small and non-touristy–the ideal must-go in Japan for travelers looking to dive into authentic Japanese culture.

Mount Koya

• A world-famous pilgrimage site, sacred Mount Koya is home to ancient temples deep in the ancient forest–perfect for an eerie overnight.
• Japan’s dramatic seasons give Mount Koya a brand-new look every few months, especially when the shrines are surrounded by lush summer greenery or coated in deep layers of snow.

Tashirojima / Cat Island

• On Tashirojima, Japan’s “Cat Island,” nearly 100 cats roam free and are loved beyond belief by the local population–in fact, the cat population is equal to the human population, with an approximate 1:1 ratio!
• Cat Island is only one of the hundreds of places to see Japan’s cute, cuddly creatures–so many must-do Japanese adventures involve fluffy foxes, baby monkeys, and more!

Hakone

• A favorite day trip for Tokyo locals, Hakone is packed with some of Japan’s must-see destinations, like the Hakone Ropeway’s panoramic view of Mount Fuji and several active volcanoes.
• Don’t miss off-the-beaten-path spots like the Hakone Glass Museum, an absolutely breathtaking Venetian-style mansion entered via an arched glass bridge.
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